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If you're one of those fantasy basketball players that sets a lineup at the beginning of the week, checks out, and then comes back seven days later to see how things shook out, this post is not for you.
This is for those who are grinding through each day and keeping track of categories as the days tick off. Maybe you need a handful of assists to get you over and win the week, or maybe a key injury is forcing you to rethink a category you previously considered stable. The goal is here is to target specific players who are rostered in less than half of Yahoo! leagues who will help you get you into the winner's circle. Mostly we're looking at players who might be available in 12-team leagues, but there will be some deeper options too when available.
As is always the case when streaming, it's possible that some of these recommended options are worthy of a longer-term add. But in order to hold long term, you first have to make the pickup. Regardless of where you're deficient, here are some names to consider to help you make up ground in the short term. Be sure to check out my Twitter (@Maxadelphia) for my nightly NBA plays, as well. Let's get into it!
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Points - Streaming Options
Reggie Bullock - SG/SF - Dallas Mavericks (44% rostered)
Bullock is a classic case of stepping up for injured players; the Mavs are still without Kristaps Porzingis, and Tim Hardaway Jr., and while Luka Doncic is a superstar, even he can't play 1v5. Bullock has stepped in and has been instant offense for Dallas. Bullock has scored in double figures in six straight games for Dallas and has been efficient while doing so, shooting above 50% from the field during that stretch. Until one or both of Porzingus or Hardaway Jr returns, Bullock is a legit starting-level fantasy player.
Other streamers:
- Justin Holiday - SG/SF - Indiana Pacers (38% rostered)
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (31% rostered)
Assists - Streaming Options
Eric Bledsoe - PG/SG - Portland Trailblazers (31% rostered)
Doing something a bit out of the ordinary here, by recommending someone who is currently injured, but with the way things are going, this might be my only chance to recommend him before he goes over 50% rostered. The Blazers traded away CJ McCollum, and with Damian Lillard continuing to miss time, the Blazers' backcourt is looking pretty thin.
- De'Anthony Melton - PG/SG - Memphis Grizzlies (40% rostered)
- Patrick Beverley - PG/SG - Minnesota Timberwolves (31% rostered)
Rebounds - Streaming Options
Jaxson Hayes - C - New Orleans Pelicans (43% rostered)
The last 1-2 weeks have seen Hayes have one of the most drastic fantasy revivals of the whole season. The Pelicans made the decision to begin having Hayes start alongside Jonas Valanciunas, and the decision has certainly paid dividends in terms of production for the third-year big man. Hayes has recorded 7+ rebounds in four straight games, and with the Pelicans trading away two wing players (Josh Hart, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker) that leaves a cumulative 11.3 rebounds per game the team is losing. Hayes is one of the best waiver adds available out there currently, regardless of our sub-50% rostered criteria.
Other streamers:
- Precious Achiuwa - PF/C - Toronto Raptors (11% rostered)
- Hassan Whiteside - C - Utah Jazz (42% rostered)
- Onyeka Okongwu - PF/C - Atlanta Hawks (26% rostered)
- Darius Bazley - SF/PF - Oklahoma City Thunder (35% rostered)
Blocks - Streaming Options
Hassan Whiteside - C - Utah Jazz (42% rostered)
Short and sweet: as long as Rudy Gobert misses games, Whiteside is an elite fantasy asset. Whiteside has tallied 7 blocks in his last 4 games.
Week 2: Gobert is expected to miss the next two games for the Jazz before his return, so it seems like Whiteside still has a little bit of time left in his current role.
Other streamers:
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (35% rostered)
- Alperen Sengun - C - Houston Rockets (30% rostered)
Steals - Streaming Options
Darius Bazley - SF/PF - Oklahoma City Thunder (35% rostered)
Forever the bridesmaid previously, today is finally Bazley's day to walk down the waiver wire gems aisle. A regular recommendation for both defensive categories, I had to finally give Bazley the write-up he rightfully deserves. Bazley has been solid as an asset this year, but since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went down he has taken the next step from a fantasy perspective. Since SGA's injury; Bazley's minutes have gone up, he has recorded 6 steals in five games, and has posted double-digit scoring or rebounding in every game, making him a well-rounded addition to any roster.
Other streamers:
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (10% rostered)
- Dorian Finney-Smith - SF/PF - Dallas Mavericks (39% rostered)
- Chuma Okeke - PF - Orlando Magic (36% rostered)
Threes - Streaming Options
Garrison Mathews - SG/SF - Houston Rockets (15% rostered)
If you're reading this article, chances are you already know the Rockets play at one of the fastest paces in the NBA, and that they're also one of the worst defenses in the league. What you might not know is that Mathews leads all Rockets in 3's attempted (6.7) and made (2.5) on a per-game basis. Sure, Mathews will have a stinker every now and then, but when it comes to sheer volume, he has more to offer than most players in the whole league in this stat.
Other streamers:
- Luke Kennard - SG/SF - LA Clippers (25% rostered)
- Reggie Bullock - SG/SF - Dallas Mavericks (44% rostered)
- Kevin Huerter - SG/SF - Atlanta Hawks (31% rostered)
Field Goal Percentage - Streaming Options
Isaiah Jackson - PF/C - Indiana Pacers (24% rostered)
Sometimes, fantasy sports is just being in the right place at the right time. We've all been there before; a starting player goes down and you either have or pick up the guy that's supposed to take over their spot. If you're in the position that you can grab Jackson, or have held on to him since his great run 7-10 days ago, then congratulations, you're in the right place at the right time!
Other streamers:
- Nicolas Batum - SF/PF - LA Clippers (18% rostered)
- Gary Payton II - PG/SG - Golden State Warriors (10% rostered)
- Kevon Looney - PF/C - Golden State Warriors (35% rostered)
Free Throw Percentage - Streaming Options
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - SG/SF- Washington Wizards (24% rostered)
I'll be honest, it's a pretty thin week for FT%, the majority of the best plays are big men this week. However, with Bradley Beal out for at least one week, that leaves a lot of offense in the air, and KCP is surprisingly an 87.7% FT shooter. He doesn't rack up a ton of attempts, but if he gets to the line, he's quite reliable for makes.
Week 2: With the announcement that Bradley Beal will undergo season-ending surgery, that makes the Wizards as a whole a hotspot for fantasy streaming. KCP is now the Wizards' #1 FT shooter by % and is a great candidate for boosting FT% on your squad.
Other streamers:
- Tyus Jones - PG - Memphis Grizzlies (20% rostered)
- Reggie Bullock - SG/SF - Dallas Mavericks (44% rostered)
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